This is the earliest Terrot advert that I have that lists a range of multi-geared bicycles. Based on the more detailed descriptions in their May 1904 advert, I think that this range includes:
- A three speed hub-geared bicycle.
- A two speed hub-geared bicycle.
- A four speed bicycle possibly featuring two chainwheel/cog sets on each side of the frame, with one chain on each side of the frame, and a clutch to control which side is engaged. A given chain is possibly swapped between the chainwheel/cog sets on its side of the frame by hand. This hi-tech device won the only Gold Medal at the TCF’s famous 1902 concours.
- A two speed bicycle featuring one chain, chainwheel and cog on each side of the frame, and a clutch to control which side is engaged.
- A two speed retro-direct bicycle in which you engage a high gear when pedalling forward and a low gear when pedalling backwards.
It’s a rich diet of gothic lunacy - well reflected in the over-exuberant font used for the Terrot name.
(Source gallica.bnf.fr/ Bibliothèque nationale de France)
